Serving In Wisdom

Paul now tells the Colossians that the Lord's servants walk wisely toward them that are not part of the church. They understand there is a difference between the world and who they as the Lord's people are. They know that they are not of the world even thought they are in the world.

Jesus spoke of this in John 17:16-20 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;

I am always struck by this verse because in it Jesus prays directly for me and for you, “for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” That is us, thousands of year later that is Jesus still praying for us. Walking wisely in this world means that I know I’m in this world, but I’m not part of this world and my purpose is to change this world through the Word of God. That is walking wisely. Next Paul says that wisdom means.

Redeeming the Time: This means to make the most efficient use of our time and service. To redeem is to buy back it or to buy up opportunities. In the case of a Christian, by using time and opportunity first here on earth, it means that we invest in a second blessing in heaven. Here and now we are blessed by serving Him and then again in Heaven when we see what our service, prayers, sacrifice and work have produced. We invest here by redeeming the time and we reap the dividends, the rewards of our investment one day in the glories of heaven’s courts.

Paul also teaches this to the Ephesians in chapter 5:16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Everything we do should be weighed with the consideration, “Will this be a seed that will bring a harvest in heaven.”

Remember what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount, “Matthew 6:19-21 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Paul says to “walk in wisdom” and next adds, “talk in wisdom.” Our speech should also be wise. Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. He uses a phrase that once again reminds us of the sermon on the mount.

Jesus said, “Matthew 5:13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.”

Our speech must be grace seasoned with salt, the grace of the Gospel, the grace of God’s love, seasoned with the salt of holiness and righteousness.  Our speech must not be so gracious that it never speaks of sin nor must it be so judgmental that it never calls out in the love that God has for the lost.

This is the wise servant's balance, the equal telling of truth in love. Ephesians 4:15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

Later in the same chapter, Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Again we hear Paul in his words echoing the teachings of Jesus, “Matthew 10:16 Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”

The wise servant lives their life and speaks their words wisely, graciously, in truth seasoned with love. They live in the world but are not of the world. They speak in the world’s language without surrendering to the world lifestyle.